The Basics Of Using Solar Power At Home
Have you considered utilizing solar energy? There are many benefits to using solar energy, both at home and at a business. Follow the information presented here to learn the basics of solar technology and get some ideas for using it in your situation.
Contact your local government to ask them about rules in place where you live. No solar technology should be in use without permission from the powers that be. You may find yourself fined and having to take down all that you worked so hard to put in place if you don't inquire first.
When it comes to solar energy, you must keep the solar panels clean for best results. Dirty solar panels do not allow the solar panels to absorb the maximum amount of energy. Therefore, to ensure your solar panels are running at peak performance, keep a regular maintenance and cleaning schedule.
Not every solar panel is created equally. Always buy from a reputable dealer that has been in business for a number of years. The solar energy marketplace is littered with businesses that do not succeed. Make sure the company you buy from will be around if you need help or have problems with your system.
To help keep your solar energy panels running efficiently, keep a record of your solar panels performance. On this record, note when the days are overcast and how much energy your panels produced. This will help you plan your energy consumption better. For example, if the forecast is cloudy, then you should wait to do household chores that use a lot of energy.
Be careful when positioning solar panels on your home. These panels need direct sunlight, at least during the main portion of the day. If there are a lot of trees that shade the panel, you'll reduce your overall output by a lot. Plan ahead and look at all of your placement options.
Power sources that are run by fossil fuels are run by machines that require motors. Those motors require constant maintenance. With solar energy systems, there are limited parts required so they are extremely low maintenance. You will save money on fuel as well as maintaining the system over the years.
Solar-powered cars can really reduce carbon-based pollutants; however, the technology hasn't been perfected yet. But, there are some smaller appliances that will run on solar power. Solar powered generators are now available, and this would be the perfect solution to a long term power outage.
An easy way to put in solar lights at home or at your office is by using solar lights along your pathway to the entrance. These small lights can absorb sunshine throughout the day and power the lights at night. You can dress up your landscape with these easy-to-install fixtures.
If you are building a new home, now is the time to factor in solar energy! Ask a consultant to design windows that warm your home in winter while saving you a bundle on heating. Consider planting trees for shade and leaving space in the yard for solar panels too. Building solar energy into a new home is much easier than adding it onto an old one!
Be grounded in your expectations of what you can get out of solar water heating. Even the best models will only reduce your power consumption by 1/3. You should also know that showering in the morning when it's still dark out doesn't mean you'll have cold water. Solar water heaters will stay hot or warm for around a day.
If you are located in the Northern hemisphere, your solar panels should be facing south. People who live in the Southern hemisphere should install their panels facing north. Putting them in any other way will defeat the entire purpose since the panels will not have a chance to collect a large amount of energy from the sun.
Carefully consider the types of solar panels you plan on having installed. Long ago, if you didn't have enough roof space, you'd need very expensive high efficiency mono-crystalline panels. There are now more advanced polycrystalline panels and even thin film panels. If you've got enough roof space, you might wish to look at the size of the panels in relation to their output capacity to avoid having insufficient panels that you need more of later.
Find a vendor who offers a lengthy warranty for your solar panels. A lengthy warranty is a sign that the vendor has faith in the products and it will help you save a lot of money in case your panels malfunction. Do some background research on the vendor you chose to make sure they are likely to still be around over the next decades.
Now that you're done with this article, you are aware of the myriad of ways solar power can be of benefit. You don't want to be kept in the dark concerning the benefits of solar energy. Use the tips that have been discussed so you can make the most of solar energy.